JP3251786B2 - Printer mode switching method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer mode switching method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printer is connected to a host computer so that print data from the host computer can be transferred to the printer and printing can be performed using the print data. Some printers have a test print (hereinafter, referred to as “local test”) function.
The printing operation can be checked.

In this case, in this type of printer,
A normal print mode for performing normal printing and a local test mode for performing a local test can be selected. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional printer. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes an interface (I / F) unit. The interface unit 11 includes an interface connector, an interface IC (not shown), and the like.
Send to In this case, the host computer and the printer can perform one-way communication from the host computer to the printer.

Reference numeral 13 denotes an operation panel. The operation panel 13 includes an input unit 14 constituted by switches (not shown) and a display unit 15 constituted by LEDs (not shown) and LCD. By operating the input unit 14, various modes of the printer, such as selection of a font, can be set. The display unit 15 displays a mode set by the input unit 14.

The printer control unit 12 is constituted by a CPU, a memory, peripheral logic, and the like (not shown), and operates a printing mechanism (not shown) in accordance with print data received via the interface unit 11 to perform printing. By the way, in the printer having the above configuration, the normal print mode and the local test mode can be selected by operating the input unit 14. When the local test mode is selected, the printer control unit 12 determines the mode and switches the printer to the local test mode. Then, a command from the host computer is not accepted, and the local test pattern stored in the memory is printed.

As another method of selecting the local test mode, there is a method of turning on a power source (not shown) while pressing a predetermined switch of the input unit 14. As described above, when selecting the local test mode in the printer, the user operates the input unit 14 or turns on the power while operating the input unit 14.

However, in the above-described conventional printer mode switching method, even if bidirectional communication is possible between the printer and the host computer, the input unit 14 is required for the printer, which increases the cost. Would. That is, when using a printer and a host computer capable of the two-way communication, the information of the printer can be transmitted to the host computer, so that the mode of the printer can be set by the input means of the host computer, The mode of the printer can be displayed by the display means of the host computer. Therefore, the input unit 14 and the display unit 15 of the operation panel 13 become unnecessary, and the cost of the printer can be reduced.

However, since the local test is performed only by the printer without receiving a command from the host computer, the input unit 14 is required only for performing the local test. Therefore, when a printer having a local test function is used, the cost cannot be reduced. The present invention
A printer mode switching method that solves the problem of the conventional printer mode switching method and eliminates the need for an input unit even when a printer having a local test function is used, thereby reducing costs. The purpose is to:

[0009]

For this purpose, in the printer mode switching method of the present invention, it is indicated whether the external operating state of the printer is operable or inoperable,
Further, the present invention is applied to a printer to which an input signal indicating a connection state for performing mode switching is input. Then, it is determined whether a pattern consisting of a high level and a low level of the input signal is the same as a predetermined pattern set in advance to determine whether the local test mode has been selected, and When the pattern consisting of the high level and the low level is the same as the predetermined pattern, the mode is switched to the local test mode.

In another mode switching method for a printer according to the present invention, a use mode of a member selected in advance and constituting a printing mechanism of the printer is detected. Then, it is determined whether or not the usage mode of the member in the printing mechanism section is different from a predetermined usage mode set in advance to determine a mode. The mode is switched when the use mode of the member in the printing mechanism section is different from the predetermined use mode.

In still another mode switching method for a printer according to the present invention, the method is applied to a printer to which an input signal indicating whether an external operating state of the printer is operable or inoperable is input. When the input signal indicates that the operation state outside the printer is inoperable, a change in the use mode of the member in the printing mechanism unit is determined in advance by a predetermined mode for performing mode determination. Determine if it is different from the change.

[0012]

According to the present invention, as described above, in the printer mode switching method, it is possible to indicate whether the external operating state of the printer is operable or inoperable, and to switch the mode. The present invention is applied to a printer to which an input signal indicating a connection state is input. Then, it is determined whether a pattern consisting of a high level and a low level of the input signal is the same as a predetermined pattern set in advance to determine whether the local test mode has been selected, and When the pattern consisting of the high level and the low level is the same as the predetermined pattern, the mode is switched to the local test mode.

In this case, a pattern consisting of a high level and a low level of an input signal and a predetermined pattern set in advance to determine whether or not the local test mode has been selected, based on the external connection state of the printer. Are determined to be the same, the mode is switched to the local test mode.

In another printer mode switching method according to the present invention, a use mode of a member selected in advance and constituting a printing mechanism of the printer is detected. Then, it is determined whether or not the usage mode of the member in the printing mechanism section is different from a predetermined usage mode set in advance to determine a mode. The mode is switched when the use mode of the member in the printing mechanism section is different from the predetermined use mode.

In this case, when it is determined that the usage mode of the member is different from a predetermined usage mode set in advance to determine the mode, the mode is switched.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 11
Denotes an interface unit, and the interface unit 11 comprises an interface connector (not shown), an interface IC, and the like. In this case, two-way communication with the host computer is possible, and the host computer transmits data for setting various modes such as selection of print data and fonts to the printer, and the host computer transmits the data. Data indicating the status of various modes can be transmitted to a computer.

Reference numeral 23 denotes an operation panel. The operation panel 23 has a display section 24 for displaying that a power source (not shown) of the printer is on. The printer controller 12 includes a CPU (not shown), a memory, peripheral logic, and the like. The printer controller 12 operates a printing mechanism (not shown) in accordance with print data received via the interface 11 to perform printing.

FIG. 3 is a connection state diagram in the normal mode in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a connection state diagram in the local test mode in the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 12 is a printer control unit, 31 is a printer, 3
2 is a host computer, 33 is an interface connector on the printer 31 side, 34 is an interface connector on the host computer 32 side, 35 is a cable connecting the printer 31 and the host computer 32, 37 is a receiver, and 38 is a driver.

HST is a host logic high signal as an input signal indicating the operation state of the logic of the host computer 32. The host logic high signal HST
Informs the printer 31 that the logic power supply (not shown) of the host computer 32 is on and the logic is operable. And the PTR is the printer 31
Is a printer logic high signal as an output signal indicating the operation state of the logic. The printer logic high signal PTR informs the host computer 32 that the logic power (not shown) of the printer 31 is turned on and the logic is operable.

In the normal mode, the host logic high signal HST is input to the printer controller 12 via the receiver 37, while the printer logic high signal PST is
TR is output from the printer control unit 12 via the driver 38. In the local test mode, the local test mode setting connector 41 is connected to the printer 31 instead of the interface connector 33 on the printer 31 side. Then, the printer control unit 12 detects that the local test mode setting connector 41 is connected outside the printer 31, determines that the local test mode is selected, and shifts to the local test mode.

For this purpose, the printer logic high signal P
TR is output in a preset pattern, and the printer control unit 12 determines whether the pattern of the host logic high signal HST and the pattern of the printer logic high signal PTR are the same. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a printer mode switching method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Step S1 The power of the printer 31 (FIG. 3) is turned on. Step S2: Set the printer logic high signal PTR to low level. Step S3: It is determined whether the host logic high signal HST is at a high level or a low level. When the host logic high signal HST is at a high level, the process proceeds to step S4, and when it is at a low level, the process proceeds to step S6.
Step S4: Since the logic of the host computer 32 is operable, the printer logic high signal PTR is set to high level. Step S5: The communication between the host computer 32 and the printer 31 becomes possible, and the mode becomes the normal mode. Step S6: Set the printer logic high signal PTR to high level. Step S7: It is determined whether the host logic high signal HST is at a high level or a low level. Host logic high signal H
When ST is at the low level, the process proceeds to step S8, and when ST is at the high level, the process proceeds to step S10. Step S8
Since the logic of the host computer 32 is inoperable, communication between the host computer 32 and the printer 31 is disabled. Step S9: Monitor the host logic high signal HST and wait until the host logic high signal HST becomes high level. If the host logic high signal HST has gone high, the process returns to step S5. Step S10 Printer logic high signal PTR
To low level. Step S11: It is determined whether the host logic high signal HST is at a high level or a low level. When the host logic high signal HST is at a high level, the process proceeds to step S12, and when it is at a low level, the process proceeds to step S13. Step S12 It is determined that the logic of the host computer 32 becomes operable on the way, and the process returns to step S4. Step S13: The local test mode setting connector 41 (FIG. 4) is connected, it is determined that the local test mode has been selected, and the mode shifts to the local test mode.

In this case, the printer logic high signal PT
Although R is switched between a high level and a low level, switching of the printer logic high signal PTR is performed in a short time without interfering with communication between the printer 31 and the host computer 32. When returning from the local test mode to the normal mode, the connection state shown in FIG. 4 is switched to the connection state shown in FIG. 3, and it is detected that the host logic high signal HST becomes high level, or the power supply of the printer 31 is turned off again. turn on.

The host logic high signal HST
And the printer logic high signal PTR is IEEE128
Although it is a signal conforming to the four interfaces, other input signals and other output signals which are respectively low active can also be used. As described above, in the interface unit 11 (FIG. 1) of the printer 31, the host computer 32
It is detected that the host logic high signal HST indicating that the logic of the printer 31 is operable and the printer logic high signal PTR indicating that the logic of the printer 31 is operable are connected outside the printer 31. At this time, since the printer 31 is shifted to the local test mode, the operation panel 23 does not need an input unit.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a printer according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes an interface unit, and the interface unit 11 comprises an interface connector (not shown), an interface IC, and the like.
In this case, two-way communication is possible between the host computer 32 (FIG. 3) and the printer 31, and various modes such as selection of print data and fonts from the host computer 32 to the printer 31 are set. Data and the like can be transmitted, and data representing the state of various modes can be transmitted from the printer 31 to the host computer 32.

Reference numeral 23 denotes an operation panel. The operation panel 23 has a display unit 24 for displaying that the power supply (not shown) of the printer 31 is on. Reference numeral 51 denotes a cover open switch, and a signal of the cover open switch 51 is input to the printer control unit 12. The cover open switch 51 is for protecting the operator by turning off the power of the high voltage system when a cover (not shown) of the printer 31 is opened.

For example, when removing a jammed sheet or replacing a toner cartridge, the operator opens the cover of the printer 31. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the printer control unit 12 detects that the cover has been opened for such a short time that the jammed paper cannot be removed or the toner cartridge cannot be replaced. , It is determined that the local test mode has been selected, and the mode shifts to the local test mode.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a printer mode switching method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Step S21: The power of the printer 31 (FIG. 3) is turned on. Step S22: Printer logic high signal PTR
To low level. Step S23: It is determined whether the host logic high signal HST is at a high level or a low level. When the host logic high signal HST is at a high level, the process proceeds to step S24, and when it is at a low level, the process proceeds to step S26. Step S24: Since the logic of the host computer 32 is operable, the printer logic high signal PTR is set to the high level. Step S25: Host computer 32 and printer 31
Communication becomes possible with the device, and the device enters the normal mode. Step S
26 Whether the cover of the printer 31 is open or not is determined by the signal of the cover open switch 51 (FIG. 6). If the cover is not open, step S
If the cover is open in step S27, step S30
Proceed to. Step S27: Printer logic high signal P
Set TR to high level. Step S28: Since the logic of the host computer 32 is inoperable, communication between the host computer 32 and the printer 31 is disabled. Step S29: Monitor the host logic high signal HST and wait until the host logic high signal HST becomes high level. If the host logic high signal HST has gone high, the process returns to step S25. Step S30: Wait until time t seconds have elapsed. In this case, the time t is set to such a short time that the jammed paper cannot be removed or the toner cartridge cannot be replaced. Step S31: It is determined again whether the cover is open. If the cover is not open, the process proceeds to step S34, and if the cover is open, the process proceeds to step S32. Step S32: It is determined that the jammed sheet is removed or the toner cartridge is replaced, and the printer logic high signal PTR is set to a high level. Step S33: It is determined again whether the cover is open. It waits until the cover is closed, and if closed, returns to step S29. Step S34: It is determined that the local test mode has been selected, and the mode shifts to the local test mode.

When returning from the local test mode to the normal mode, the host logic high signal HST
Becomes high level, or the power of the printer 31 is turned on again. Alternatively, after the printing of a predetermined page is performed in the local test mode, the printing operation can be automatically restored. In the present embodiment, the host logic high signal HST is monitored, and the mode is determined when the host logic high signal HST becomes low level and the logic of the host computer 32 becomes inoperable. Since the transmission request from the host computer 32 is not accepted during the local test mode, the following embodiment can be adopted.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a mode switching method of the printer according to the third embodiment of the present invention. Step S41: The power of the printer 31 (FIG. 3) is turned on. Step S42 The printer logic high signal PTR is set to high level. Step S43: The cover open switch 5 determines whether or not the cover of the printer 31 is open.
The determination is made based on the signal of FIG. 1 (FIG. 6). If the cover has not been opened, the process proceeds to step S44, and if it has been opened, the process proceeds to step S46. Step S44: Since the logic of the host computer 32 is inoperable, the host logic high signal HST is monitored and the process waits until the host logic high signal HST becomes high level. When the host logic high signal HST becomes high level, step S
Proceed to 45. Step S45 Host computer 32
And the printer 31 can communicate with each other, and the mode becomes the normal mode. Step S46: Wait for time t seconds to elapse. Step S47: It is determined again whether the cover is open. If the cover has not been opened, the process proceeds to step S49, and if it has been opened, the process proceeds to step S48. Step S48: It is determined again whether the cover is open. It waits until the cover is closed, and if closed, returns to step S44. Step S49: It is determined that the local test mode has been selected, and the mode shifts to the local test mode.

The return from the local test mode to the normal mode can be performed in the same manner as in the second embodiment. As described above, when the printer control unit 12 detects that the use mode of the cover of the printer 31 is different from the normal mode, the printer 31 shifts to the local test mode. The input unit becomes unnecessary.

In this embodiment, the printer 31
The mode is determined by the printer control unit 12 detecting that the usage mode of the cover is different from the normal usage mode. Also, the printer control unit 12 confirms that the usage of the members of the printer 31 other than the cover is different from the normal usage.
, The mode can be determined.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be variously modified based on the gist of the present invention, and these are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

[0033]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in the method of switching the mode of the printer, the external operation state of the printer indicates whether it is operable or inoperable, and The present invention is applied to a printer to which an input signal indicating a connection state for performing the switching is input. Then, it is determined whether a pattern consisting of a high level and a low level of the input signal is the same as a predetermined pattern set in advance to determine whether the local test mode has been selected, and When the pattern consisting of the high level and the low level is the same as the predetermined pattern, the mode is switched to the local test mode.

In this case, a pattern consisting of a high level and a low level of the input signal and a predetermined pattern set in advance to determine whether or not the local test mode has been selected, based on the external connection state of the printer. Are determined to be the same, the mode is switched to the local test mode. Therefore, the input unit of the operation panel becomes unnecessary, and the cost of the printer can be reduced.

In another printer mode switching method according to the present invention, a use mode of a member which is selected in advance and forms a printing mechanism of the printer is detected. Then, it is determined whether or not the usage mode of the member in the printing mechanism section is different from a predetermined usage mode set in advance to determine a mode. The mode is switched when the use mode of the member in the printing mechanism section is different from the predetermined use mode.

In this case, if the operator operates the member in the printing mechanism outside the printer for a very short time, the usage of the member is different from the predetermined usage which is set in advance to determine the mode. It is determined and the mode is switched. Therefore, the input unit of the operation panel becomes unnecessary, and the cost of the printer can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional printer.

FIG. 3 is a connection state diagram in a normal mode in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a connection state diagram in a local test mode in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a printer mode switching method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a printer mode switching method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a printer mode switching method according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 31 printer 32 host computer

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] An external operating state of a printer is operable.
To indicate whether it is inoperable or not, and to switch modes
In mode switching method of a printer to which an input signal is input indicating a connection state for performing a pattern consisting of a high level and a low level of (a) the input signal, etc. or local test mode has been selected
Determining whether the predetermined pattern set in advance to determine are the same out if, (b) if the high-level and consisting of a low-level pattern of the input signal and the predetermined pattern is the same And a local test mode. Wherein (a) the pre-selected to detect the mode of use of the members constituting the printing mechanism of the printer, (b) use aspect of said member in said printing mechanism is motor
Determining whether different from the preset predetermined usage mode to make a determination of over-de, (c) embodiments uses of the member in the printing mechanism portion before
Mode switching method of a printer, characterized by switching the mode to be different from the serial predetermined usage mode. 3. A printer mode switching method in which an input signal indicating whether an external operation state of the printer is operable or inoperable is input, wherein the input signal is an external operation state of the printer. In the case where it indicates that it is impossible, a change in the use mode of the member in the printing mechanism unit determines the mode.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein it is determined whether the change is different from a predetermined change set in advance .